Back in July I had a smashing day photographing a wedding that must surely be a hot contender for the loveliest wedding of the year. It was also in the running for the hottest wedding day of the year award too – not that I was complaining after the weeks of wet weekends. For once the lens hoods in my camera bag would actually be used for stopping glare from the sun, as they were designed to do, rather than keeping off the raindrops.
My day started at Karen’s parent’s house down in Dalry, in Ayrshire and I arrived right in the middle of her bridezilla moment. Resisiting the temptation to run away I stuck it out and learned that the reason for this was that the handmade pompoms (actually very impressive, and supplied by Melody’s Pom Pom shop on Etsy) hadn’t been hung quite right in the venue. Because the hotel didn’t have a ladder, apparently. Things soon calmed down and I gave the bride and bridesmaid a lift in my car down the road to the nearby Dalgarven House Hotel.
A lot of my clients pay attention to the little details of their day, which is why I always try and photograph as many as possible as a record, but Karen (or maybe it was Matthew?) just seemed to have a real knack for it and had some beautiful features. Two things that you wouldn’t really think compatible were the eating of vast quantities of Wilkin’s Jam, so that the appropriately branded jars could be used for the flower vases, and, subsequently, still managing to fit into the wonderful vintage wedding dress Karen had sourced online at Vintageous.
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| Bunting, hand made by the bride’s grannie. |
After I picked the lock of the hotel room door (all part of the service) the preparations could continue and I was introduced to Wee Alan. He really was very wee indeed and it was just as well that Karen’s other dress (not the vintage one, this was the very elegant daytime one from Sarah Louise Bridal) had pockets to keep him safely in as he had the important role of being the Lucky Brass Pig – borrowed from Karen’s bridesmaid where he had, apparently, been bringing good fortune since her higher exams. He managed to conjure up a scorching hot day to a country largely devoid of good weather so, clearly, he must be very powerful in spite of his diminutive stature.
I was pleased to see that humanist celebrant Tim Maguire was conducting wedding the ceremony. We seem to meet up quite regularly through the year and I always look forward to seeing what he will be wearing as it is never, ever, the same thing. To me, at least, the humanist ceremony perfectly suited Karen and Matthew and had a great mix of humour and emotion – very fitting.
Next to the hotel is Dalgarven Mill and we took the opportunity to pop over to take a few pictures there. I had driven past it mill many times in the past but had never been in. It really is worth a visit – if you aren’t interested in the mill itself then there is an interesting collection of costumes including, rather fittingly, an exhibition of wedding dresses from the last 100 years. If you aren’t interested in that either then there is a smashing cafe to keep you occupied.
We thought we would take a quick picture at the bus stop for a bit of fun but, quite thoughtlessly, a bus stopped there just as we were ready – it did make for some amusing shots though.
The excited mill owner was keen to show us his wildflower meadow as he thought it would make a good backdrop for some pictures. The petite meadow was indeed gorgeous and made for some lovely photographs. Karen and Matt didn’t like posing for the camera at all so this was great – they could run free amongst the flowers, with Wee Alan in his little pocket, whilst I took some pictures from a distance.
The wedding cake, supplied by Sugar and Spice in Troon, was topped by another Etsy find. This time they were made by BritanniaDrew – very good but, I have to say, the bride-bird looks very cross…
I have seen photo-booths at weddings before. The idea is that wedding guests can have their picture taken (sometimes a video even) as a record for the bride and groom. Karen and Matthew made one in their own unique style featuring a range of props and a picture frame. I would love to see all the results as I am sure they will be entertaining…
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| Not my idea – I just take the photographs… |
I had a whale of a time at this wedding, and everybody else seemed to as well. I am sure that it must have taken a very long time, and a lot of effort, to source all of the little details but it was no effort at all for me to capture photographs of everyone looking happy as this wedding just seemed to ooze fun and it is one I shall remember for a very long time.
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